Attacks, arson at Prothom Alo, The Daily Star offices

The offices of Bangladesh's two leading newspapers, the Bengali-language Prothom Alo and the English-language The Daily Star, located in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar area, were subjected to severe attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson by a group of protesters.

The incidents occurred around midnight on Thursday, December 18, 2025, escalating into the early hours of Friday, December 19. 

As a direct result of the extensive damage, both newspapers suspended their print and online operations, preventing the release of editions on Friday.

The violence began with an assault on the Prothom Alo office, which was vandalised and set ablaze first. 

The attackers then moved to the nearby Daily Star building, repeating the pattern of destruction and arson. Later that night, security forces, including the army, arrived at the scene and attempted to persuade the protesters to disperse. 

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were also present during this time. 

Subsequently, the group proceeded to vandalise buildings in Dhanmondi, including the premises associated with the cultural organisation Chhayanaut (No. 32) and related structures.

Around 2:45 am, Nurul Kabir, President of the Editors' Council and editor of the New Age newspaper, arrived in front of The Daily Star building to protest the attacks. 

He was confronted and assaulted by a group of individuals before being removed from the area by army personnel.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the unrest was triggered by the news of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha. 

Following the announcement, a procession of protesters marched from Shahbagh toward Karwan Bazar. 

Upon reaching the Prothom Alo office, they besieged the building and began demonstrations. 

Police officers on site attempted to de-escalate the situation but were unable to maintain control. 

The protesters eventually resorted to vandalising the office using sticks and other implements, shattering most of the windows. 

Around midnight, some entered the premises, removing furniture, chairs, tables, and important documents, which they piled in the street and set on fire.

During the acts of vandalism and arson, protesters were heard chanting slogans such as "Inqilab Inqilab, Zindabad Zindabad," "Naraye Takbir," and "Allahu Akbar."

A journalist from Prothom Alo reported that only a limited number of police were initially present and proved insufficient to halt the attackers. 

The destruction persisted for an extended period before fires were ignited. 

Key sections of the Prothom Alo office, including the control room, Prothom Prokashna, advertising and accounting departments, and other units like Charki, were completely gutted by the flames.

The mob then targeted The Daily Star building, vandalising it before setting multiple floors alight. 

As the fire raged on the lower three floors, journalists inside sought refuge on the rooftop to escape the danger. 

Several staff members trapped in the newsroom on the fourth floor reported falling ill due to heavy smoke inhalation.

At around 2 am, MA Shajahan from the fire service control room stated that efforts were underway to extinguish the blaze at The Daily Star with assistance from law enforcement. 

Multiple fire service teams—up to 10—were deployed, though delays occurred due to obstructions en route. 

By 2:30 am, at least 10 journalists had been rescued using a crane, with around 30 more remaining on the rooftop.

Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Keshinyu Marma, speaking at 2 am from in front of The Daily Star building, noted that previous attempts to disperse attackers at Prothom Alo had failed due to the large crowd. 

He was unable to identify the participants in the assaults.

The Daily Star journalist Jaima Islam, trapped inside around 1 am, posted on Facebook, "I can't breathe anymore. There is too much smoke all around. I am trapped inside. You are killing me."

By 2:30 am, the fire service reported that the fires at both Prothom Alo and The Daily Star buildings were not fully extinguished, though firefighting operations continued.

Attack on Chhayanaut in Dhanmondi

In a related incident around 1:40 am on Friday, hundreds of individuals entered the Chhayanaut building in Dhanmondi, a prominent cultural organisation. 

They engaged in widespread vandalism, damaging doors, windows, equipment, computers, and laptops, while also looting items. 

Fires were set outside the premises. Army and police forces arrived later to intervene. 

Witnesses expressed concerns over potential significant loss of important office documents and students' materials.